Word to the Wise
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 - St. Hyacinth of Poland, O.P.
[Ezekiel 28:1-10 and Matthew 19:23-30].......And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."
We are told that the rich young man in yesterday's gospel went away sad, for he had many possessions. Jesus reflected on this by pointing out how wealth can be an obstacle to the kingdom of God. The disciples were completely amazed because the cultural and religious presumption of their time was that material wealth was a great blessing! So, when he recovers his composure, Peter asks what, then, is their reward for giving up everything and following Jesus? Jesus' response was that the apostles would have a special role to play, but then he addresses everyone in the words quoted above. Peter's question was probably one being asked by a lot of people in the community that the author of the Gospel of Matthew was addressing. Elsewhere in the gospel, Jesus warns also that persecution will be part of the "hundredfold" that will come from following him. It's important to note that the values listed in the quote are not casual. Tribe, family, clan and land were supreme values to his listeners. Occasionally we meet someone who has "chucked it all" and moved to a farm or vineyard. They often cite the "rat race" and the desire to raise their children according to more traditional and religious values. Their example can cause many to say, "I wish I could afford to do that! But can I do without.........? When that question is asked, the rich young man of the gospel can say, "He told me the same thing!" I've just completed a retreat for aspirants to the Permanent Diaconate and other Lay Ecclesial Ministers. The title of it was, "Who wants to be first?" The inspiration came from today's gospel. All these wonderful people are making considerable sacrifices for the sake of the gospel and service to God's people. The danger can be that they make this sacrifice because of the possibilities for power. It's a danger, I emphasize, because I have every reason to believe they are all properly motivated. Jesus' challenge to the young man and to the apostles (on more than one occasion) is that one must give up more than family and material wealth. One must give up all ambition other than to preach the gospel. The rich young man and the apostles were no different than we. AMEN
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